Looking for answers to life's questions

Another month gone! Where did it go? One moment I was looking at the beginning of it thinking of all the possibilities it had to offer, and the next breath I took left me stunned in wonderment. What the heck happened to all that time? I realize February is shorter than most but does it have to speed up? I won’t ask anyone who lives along the east coast or mid-west that question? They are probably ready to have February zip on out.

February calendar courtesy of my friend at in cahoots with muddy boots.

The weather went from this:

Winter in my Portland back yard.

to this:

Another view of winter in my Portland back yard. Any questions?

My son is fully ensconced in his tiny room where he works and sleeps. We squeezed real hard. I’ve had to compact my ample supply of stuff too. Fortunately, Tech support (my son) came with a bonus. Somehow, he ended up with the shelves that came out of my sewing room in Arizona. I didn’t much care for them in that small room but since they were available, may as well make use of them. So I sanded them and painted them white to disappear into the walls. I had plenty of leftover paint.

There is one valuable lesson I learned in this process. Even though I was outside, the dust from some of the sanding blew back at me and left me snizzeling, sneezing and coughing for several days. It hasn’t been pretty. But the two shelves that are already up are pretty…useful.

I did 4 of these. 2 longer than the other.

There is less clutter on my workspace and I’ve found things I had misplaced to keep it from getting lost. Go figure. My organization is so much better and will continue to do so as we get the other two shelves up and then build shelves for the closet. It’s been fun except for the snizzeling part.

Shelf on one side of sewing room ready to load up

Using wasted space and helps with insulation.

2 more ready to put up. Want to drop by for tea? This is my living/dining room floor!

We spent one day this week meeting with a fellow blogger from Portland. When I saw her photographs and all the places she had been, Tech Support and I had to meet and ask her as many questions about the hiking/riding trails and photography as possible over one meal. She has been blogging so much longer than I have and we had a delightful visit. Check out Conscious Engagement’s wonderful photographs here. She gifted me with a few in magnetic sleeves for the fridge.

These look wonderful on her blog.

Tech Support is eager to get on the trails as the scenery here draws one out the door. That’s as far as I want to go but he bought a bicycle to ride since Portland is such a bike friendly area with lots of trails. In the search for a bike, he made the acquaintance of this cute fellow that wandered into the bike shop and never left. The owners call him Shop Rag and he goes up to everyone and greets them hello. Checking for treats is my guess. I’ve never met such a friendly cat towards strangers.

That’s only part of the things that made this month fly by. I think we are all ready to say goodbye to winter. The wind is blowing cold today with a fooling sunny day. I’m certain in the months to come, I’ll wish for another taste of winter, but for now I’ll enjoy the new view.

I wish they were in my yard but they are a few houses up.

first flowers of spring in back yard. I don’t even know what they are called,

T.S. said it’s a good thing I only write down some of what I do. :). He took the foggy and sunny photos, I took the rest. I’m going to find time no matter what. 🙂 Your friendship is a great treasure to me as well.

You’re not kidding, Marlene, February flew by in a flash. In fact, it seems that every month goes faster than the previous.
Thank you for sharing your stunning photos. Your back yard shots are fabulous! I’m jealous you have blooming flowers already. I’m trying to be patient. 🙂

I feel so bad for the folk hit by those intense storms. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I’ll take drippy, dreary and damp any day over that. Our weather is weird too. Warmer than usual. Thanks for reading.

Ah, Marlene, I wish I had your backyard! Great pics from you and T.S.
As for sanding, if you don’t use a face mask you should, that sanding will do a number on your lungs! If you don’t have a face mask, try tying a piece of cloth over your nose and mouth, that will help too and it can be washed later. I used to work with wood a lot, I found a mask helped me not clog up my lungs and cough sawdust for months. 🙂
big hugs my friend.

Hard lesson learned. Most of the dust went into a dust catcher. Something went array and I’m still paying for it. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll do better next time. We have lots of shelves to build. 🙂 T.S. is handy to have around. Think I’ll keep him.

It was wonderful to meet you and Tech Support, Marlene! I love seeing the photos up on the fridge already. I hope you are over the sniffles by now. We definitely have to do it again, when we both are at 100%.

The flower I think is called hellebore. They are wonderful. I’m pretty sure I had not noticed these before I came to Portland.

Those shelves turned out to be so handy! And they look great!

I was just in Oregon City yesterday looking at a house for sale. It was gorgeous and the perfect size, and well below my budget max. I thought how exciting it would be to tell you if I put an offer on it. Butttt…. it’s right on Redland Rd below 213 and that is a really busy road. The traffic would drive me crazy. So…no house yet.

You are so wise to stay away from busy roads. I heard about a place to try out breakfast on that road. Eventually, T.S. will look around for somewhere out here too. I know there must be something available. You are correct in the name. I had forgotten and you just refreshed my memory. I love using leftover stuff again. Nothing going to waste. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve been checking out you previous blogs and see how well traveled you are!!! Wow! Great photos too.

Want to trade weather? Just for a day, maybe? 🙂 Even with February being the coldest and snowiest months we’ve had so far it flew by for me just as it did with you. I can’t believe tomorrow is March 1st already. Winter can fly by any time as long as summer doesn’t. 🙂

Those shelves are huge but fit nicely up there in your tiny room. I loved putting things up over doorways and windows, but that’s not possible any longer, I’d never be able to reach them.

You know just because it’s spring in your town doesn’t mean you have to work so hard. 🙂

Thanks for reading Lois. I do NOT envy you your cold winters. So glad I ended up here. I may start to whine though as the spring turns to summer. I work hard almost every day. Afraid to stop. The grim reaper might catch me if I do. 🙂
I have a wide 3 step ladder with a handle and most of that stuff will be access minimally. I’ll keep decorative things up there mostly once the rest of the shelves are built. I have so many pretty things with no where to display them. This will help. Gets the shelves out of storage too. I needed something to do. With all that snow, stuff will grow quite well there this summer. Stay warm my friend, stay warm.

Marlene the shelves look really nice painted up and with your stuff stacked on them. Good use of dead wall space! You look quite the carpenter with your goggles and apron and machinery to hand. All you were missing was the mask! I love the photo of the tree with the mist all about – it looks quite magical! February shot by – I am already nearing the end of the first day of March and cannot believe it is only a month til I leave for my visit. I see there are more reasons to come your way as Crystal is a new friend of mine and it would be fabulous to catch up with the two of you 🙂 I might be getting bitten by the adventure bug!!

Oh my gosh, Pauline. It would make me so happy if you came to visit. This is a wonderful area. Crystal is a terrific person. So well traveled and intelligent and kind. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better. I’ve been reading her older blogs. My son made me wear ear protection and my glasses kept most of the dust off. I wasn’t expecting the blow back from the sander so it caught me unaware. I have always used tools of all kinds. I’ve tiled floors and counters, refinished cabinets, removed wallpaper. I’m no stranger to hard work. I may be just a little to cocky.

My son took the photo of the foggy mist.

Glad I’m not the only one who thought the month flew by. You will be looking at winter before you can turn around twice. Sure wish you had a layover here. We are so close to the airport. Next trip maybe. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Lovely pics! i am finding that every month flies by! Never a bored moment! i have spent most of this month camping and it is late summer, now just turned Autumn in Australia so we have been enjoying warm and changeable weather. I find that I am as busy when camping as when I am at home…..just setting up camp, cooking, driving, cleaning up, packing up…phew! but the change from home routine is good and the days fly just as quickly 🙂

Thanks for stopping by. I so appreciate it and the kind comment. Like you I don’t know the meaning of the word bored. I’ve never had time to be bored. Life is full of exciting things to play with. I camped many, many years ago. It was fun then but now my idea of camping is staying at the Holiday Inn with no room service. That’s kind of a joke but as I’ve aged, I like my creature comforts, like a soft bed and indoor plumbing.:) Yes, camping was a lot of work. We had to keep kids corralled as well. As they became teenagers, the fun went right out of it. I have family in Australia that I keep hoping I’ll get well enough to visit one day. Lots of cousins. I hear about the weather there. Winter is just around the corner for you. 🙂 A change in routine is good though I’m still trying to get a routine. Everyday is different. But that’s life.

Where did February go?? I am still wondering where January went! I know, I hate to complain about the weather or brag too much about the sunshine thinking about those poor people on the eastern side of the country and weather they had endured and in fact are still enduring. I am ready for spring! The shelves look marvelous, you did such a great job. I really would like to get some shelves going and use up some wasted space in my sewing room. It’s also the sunniest room in the house and I would like two grow some plants there. great idea!

Thanks for stopping by. I agree, where did the whole winter go. We had almost none in the northwest. I thought about plants in the sewing room but I’d knock them off with my projects since my machine sits right in front of the window. I have little indoor light of any value other than my bedroom. T.S. was looking at the sun-filled room thinking it would be a great sewing room. I agree but not at this time.

I’m trying not to feel too guilty about the weather either. I’ve lived through my share of that stuff. No more. Time for this old girl to take it easy. Hope you are doing well and making wonderful things.

February did indeed fly by Marlene, and can’t believe it is March. I have signs of spring in my back garden already, suddenly my spring bulbs are bursting into life. Will post pics soon. Your Portland back yard is absolutely beautiful, oh I would love to go on those trails too. Things sound like they are coming together for you little by little, so happy for you. And yes, I would like tea please. I’ll bring the scones and will sit anywhere 🙂 Hope you have a lovely week filled with spring colour and joy xx

Thanks for stopping by Sherri. I’m sure your yard looks even more lovey as it’s probably well established. I’m waiting a few more weeks to do much planting. We still have some freezing temps at night. The last few months have just flown by and I’m so ready for time to slow down again. It’s a good thing I don’t have a job to go to. Things are coming together, ever so slowly. I wish the list would just get shorter. 🙂 I have lemon curd if you are bringing the scones. My daughter is the tea connoisseur so I’ll let her brew up the tea. It will be lovely.

I adore lemon curd Marlene, how did you know? My grandmother used to make it and gave me a jar everytime I visited or she visited me. Now I buy it as a special treat 😉 I know how you feel about your garden, I had to wait so long for my own. We’ve been here 7 years, the longest I’ve lived in one place since I was 19 (and that’s going back a bit, ha!) but I battle with the elements, not to mention darn slugs and snails eating everything. Still, it’s worth it when we get a bit of colour isn’t it? You are doing so well and your list will get crossed off little by little and you will have your garden just as you want it… Bless you…and now let’s take that tea break, the scones are just about ready and I think I just heard your daughter putting the kettle on…and yes, it will be so lovely… 🙂

Marlene, you are so handy! A woman of all trades! Very nice job on the shelves. You are so lucky to have flowers already. I was shoveling snow again this morning. I’m glad to read that you are settling in and had such a nice visit with your friend.

Thanks for reading Maddie. Yes, I’m a Jill of all trades and master of none. I like the shelves white vs natural. They don’t feel so heavy over my head. It’s an illusion but it works. I am so ready for spring but you will hear me complain loudly about summer. I really enjoy meeting new people. Most are just wonderful as was Crystal. I just bought another one of your books since I finally have time to read again.:)

Not a chance I’ll stop buying your books. I believe in supporting authors 100% as long as I like the book. I don’t even like to buy them used. I do get yours on kindle. I’m out of shelf space. 😦 Now when my son moves out, I’ll turn his room and the kitchen into libraries too. 🙂 Some books are so good, I’ll buy 2 or 3 and give the extra away. I’d rather buy books than food. Priorities.

Look at you, a busy wee carpenter. Yay Malenie-noodle ! The shelves along the ceiling look totally practical. Way to find the space you need, smart! My gosh, what a view you enjoy there. It’s like something out of a James Cameron movie. Have you seen any blue people walking about? They might claim to be Avatars, hehe. It was really cold here today, -15C with a 50 km/h wind, so the daffodils are a welcomed site. Winter will go on for at least another month. Gah, I’m so over it. I’d like to start to get to decorating again. We haven’t gotten much done over winter. First up drapes, The drapes and blinds are yucky here. Shop Rag needs a nicer name I think, but I do thank them for taking kitty in and showing him a good life and love. I wish we could have a shop pet at Urban, but I surely wouldn’t get much done.

Oh, Sweety. It’s so good to hear from you again. I’m putting a leash on March to try and keep it from getting away from me. Bought brackets to put up the other two shelves yesterday.
Shop Rag looks like one laying on the shop floor all sprawled out. He’s obviously well fed and gets lots of attention from the fellow that owns the place and all the visitors to the bike shop. My son bought his bike there because the guys were so nice to the cat.
Drapes and blinds went out of here before I moved in. I had the windows covered with painters plastic until my son came and put up blinds. The curtains were ugly and smelled. You need yours up for warmth. I don’t know how you take such cold? I think I have the best of both worlds here though last summer was warmer than ever.
I can just see a shop cat sprawled across your paper crafts as you tried to glue things together with fuzzy paws in the way. I have to cut the grass today. As soon as the ice goes off it. 🙂 The only blue person walking around here is me. I’m still cold. Giant hugs my friend,

Oh I love the sound of the first lawn mower in the spring. Our back yard is so small, I have a manual wheel clipping mower, HA. It does give out a nice little squeakity-squeak as it rolls round. I replanted a couple of spots in the fall, so I’ll see if they grow or if I have to go buy a slice of sod. Fingers crossed. xo

One slice of sod please. That sounds like ordering a pizza. I have a small electric mower. Before I get done, I may not need that. Working on getting rid of the grass as we get very little rain in the summer when we need it. I love the smell of cut grass. Spring is a bit ahead of itself here. We are getting freezing temps at night. Not good for the buds. I’ll keep my fingers crossed too.

I’m wondering the same thing myself and looking for a leash to put on March. It needs to warm up enough and dry out long enough so I can cut the darn grass. I’ve read the first few chapters of your book this week. If the month would slow down, I could get it finished.
Shop Rag runs to the door when anyone comes in, then will abandon you completely. Thanks for stopping by. It’s appreciated.

Thank you so much. She is such a lovely woman that I’m looking forward to another visit. I’ve moved a lot, she’s traveled a lot. A big difference.
We do have wonderful winters here. I look forward to every season but summer. That one is a bit harder to handle other than all the lovely daylight.
2 more shelves on the living room floor waiting their turn to go up. These things can’t be rushed you know.;) Thanks for stopping by. I’m still catching up on my reading.

I love your new blog theme, Marlene. It’s light and breezy with clever little side banners giving it a 3D effect. Beautiful.

You haven’t stopped moving for a year now. Is it any wonder the shortest of months flew by. I’m so glad you continue to blog with all that you have going on. The shelves look great. And (bonus) you found what you had misplaced. I know that wonderful feeling, having recently unearthed the four ‘missing’ triangle stamps for my collage table.

Sorry to have fallen behind on your posts. Blogging 101 is twice the work, but I’m not complaining. I’ve learned a lot. Looking forward to catching up, though.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I know how much time Blogging 101 takes. I tried it a while back and couldn’t keep up. I”ll try again later when my world slows down. I found what I put away in plain sight. Hung on the cork board. It wasn’t where I would look for it so I’ve remedied that by labeling a tub where those things will always go.
You are correct. I’m seriously overwhelmed but organizing is helping everything. I’ve taken another peak at your Pinterest site. You have so many good ideas Organization is more important than most people know. It saves time and money. I’d love to follow you around for a few days. 🙂 My son has been working on the heading of the theme. Same theme, new picture. He took the photo and adapted it. We are playing around with it.